Garlic… a staple in many dishes across the world. Garlic adds so much flavor and character to even the simplest of foods. Pasta too bland? Throw some garlic in it. Need the perfect flavoring for your protein of choice? Throw some garlic in it. Want to add a kick to your veggies or side dishes, or ward off vampires? Throw some garlic in it.
While many of us can agree that garlic makes everything taste better, did you know that it also has some potent health benefits too?
Dr. Vikki Petersen, Certified Clinical Nutritionist, Chiropractor and Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner, highlights the incredible health benefits of adding garlic to your diet:
“Garlic is part of the allium family along with onions, shallots, chives, leeks and green onions. The allium family is high in beneficial sulfur compounds, giving them a unique aroma and flavor to your food. Beyond flavor (and perhaps warding off vampires!), garlic should be a daily addition to your diet because of all the health benefits it provides, including boosting immunity, decreasing the risk of cancer, reducing inflammation, reducing blood sugar, and protecting your heart,” says Dr. Petersen.
Here are Dr. Vikki Petersen’s top 4 health and wellness benefits of garlic:
Benefit #1: Boosts your immune system and fights cancer Garlic can help boost your immune system to help avoid and fight off viruses (like the common cold and Covid-19) and can even reduce the risk of cancer. The chemical compounds (flavonols) and sulfur compounds have known anti-viral and tumor inhibition properties.
Benefit #2: Garlic is rich in antioxidants Garlic is very rich in antioxidants and, therefore, lessens the effect of oxidative damage, which is tied to premature aging, DNA damage and diseases of the brain including Alzheimer’s and dementia. This is one food that promotes both good physical and mental health!
Benefit #3: Garlic has natural anti-inflammatory abilities This is important because the degenerative diseases that many Americans are dying from, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, obesity and more, are all driven by inflammation. Garlic acts to reduce inflammatory proteins, and as such can help ward off aches and pains in the body, fight depression and sadness, and even help combat brain fog.
Benefit #4: Garlic is low in calorie and adds incredible flavor Not only is garlic a low-calorie option, but it also adds delicious flavor to healthy foods you want to eat more of, including vegetables, beans and whole (gluten-free) grains. (E.g. hummus, homemade salad dressing, roasted vegetables, sauteed vegetables, and more). Want just about anything to taste better? Throw some garlic on it!
Three Lies About Hard Work That Could Be Ruining Your Life
We pride ourselves on being hard workers. But Steve Cook says your hard work pays
off more if you work smart. He debunks three lies about hard work and shares a
better way to meet your career goals and have time left over to enjoy life.
Knoxville, TN (April 2021)—Working hard is the American way. Our work culture is all about grinding out long hours, sacrificing time with family and friends to earn as much as possible, and keeping what we do for a living at the center of our identity. And if we keep working hard, one day we will be rewarded with the proverbial “good life,” right?
Wrong, says Steve Cook.
“We often go into our careers prepared to give them our all, because we have always heard that working hard pays off in a big way,” says Cook, author of Lifeonaire: An Uncommon Approach to Wealth, Success, and Prosperity (Lifeonaire Promotions, LLC, 2018, ISBN: 978-0-9863228-7-7, $14.99). “The bad news is, it’s not true. But also the good news is, it’s not true.”
Cook says you don’t have to work yourself to the point of exhaustion or burnout to have a rewarding career. If you’re doing that now, you owe it to your family and yourself to quit and find a saner way. (That’s the good news!) What’s the point of killing ourselves for money—or worse, the possibility of having money at some point down the road—if we don’t get to enjoy it?
The hustle and the grind are bad for us in many ways. Yet, they’re amazingly seductive.
“A few years after I started my business, I started seeing quite a bit of rewards coming in,” says Cook. “That’s when I started questioning why I was working so hard. I wanted to slow down, but I had fears. I was scared I wouldn’t make as much. I believed the lie that working less meant I wasn’t working hard. I started to notice that there were many lies I was believing.”
The truth is, plenty of lies get lumped into the definition of “working hard.” Here are three big ones, and what you should be doing instead.
Lie #1: Working hard means working A LOT. This is one of the biggest lies about hard work. Putting in 12-hour workdays is not the same thing as consistently working hard. Why? Because working too many hours tends to diminish the quality of your output.
“I coach many business owners across the country,” says Cook. “Almost without exception, they’ve achieved some level of success. But they’re not feeling it. Why? Because they work too much. They’ve bought into the lie that working a lot is working hard.”
What to do instead: The real secret is being efficient and productive—really giving 100 percent when you sit down to work. You don’t have to work many hours, but you must work very hard during those hours. “I always tell people, when I work, I work hard,” says Cook.
“Cut down the hours you work, but make sure every hour counts,” he continues. “I find that most entrepreneurs are at their highest efficiency if they work four hours a day, give or take an hour. Beyond that, their productivity diminishes substantially.”
Lie #2: If you work hard now, you’ll have a great life in the future. Our society has it completely backward, says Cook. We are told to work hard during our “prime years,” but this takes us away from our kids and family who need us.
What to do instead: A far better solution is to keep life simple and keep your needs low so you can work less and spend more time living life with the ones you love most. It’s not that Cook wants us to give up on having a great career. He just wants us to consider enjoying life now. There is plenty of time for more ambitious pursuits at a later stage of life. Admittedly, this requires a huge shift and the ability to tune out society’s “more, bigger, better” narrative.
“When you are busy living a life trying to keep up with the Joneses, you’ll have to work so much to make ends meet that you may miss your kids’ formative years,” says Cook. “That’s time you can never get back. It’s far better to keep your needs low. Without a huge mortgage, extravagant vacations, and two car payments, you can live on less and spend quality time with your children now when they need you the most.”
Lie #3: Not working much is the same as being lazy. After years of conditioning, people believe that working hard is working a lot. Once they actually have the chance to work less, they feel lazy and guilty about having downtime.
“I’ve helped many people change their lives and cut down their hours,” says Cook. “When they’ve accomplished this, they sometimes feel that they aren’t doing enough. They used to work 50-plus hours per week and now they are working only 20—and by the way, they’re usually making more. Only now, they feel lazy.”
When people suddenly have a windfall of time on their hands, they don’t know what to do with their free time, says Cook. Some find activities to fill that time with, but the problem is that they don’t feel that what they are doing is significant.
What to do instead: It’s all about how you spend your free time. If you fill it with worthwhile activities and projects, you will feel engaged and empowered, not lazy.
The right way to accomplish your career goals without spending your life tethered to work is to work smart.
“I’m 100 percent for hard work,” concludes Cook. “But instead of working constantly, I work less. And I give it my all in the short period of time that I do work. That short time of efficient work produces much more than most people do in their overdrive 60-hour work weeks. If you are giving your all during the short period of time that you work, you will see a massive shift in your productivity. This is truly what working smart is all about.
“I’m all for working hard, but not at the expense of the things that are most important to us,” he adds. “It’s my passion to help people work less so they can live more, and oftentimes make more.”
# # #
About the Author:
Steve Cook is the founder of Lifeonaire, an author, coach, real estate investor, speaker, father, and husband. He has a passion for teaching, giving, and his faith. After two failed restaurant ventures in 1998, Steve hit rock bottom and lost everything. With no money and nothing but a strong will to succeed, Steve turned to real estate investing, and his efforts were met with an uncommon success.
As a professional real estate investor, he has done over 550 deals, and it was that very success that led him to realize that having true abundance isn’t about a lot of money or possessions—it’s about having a wealth of life.
With this understanding, Steve founded Lifeonaire, and now his passion is sharing the message with others to help them live prosperous, abundant lives.
About the Book:
Lifeonaire: An Uncommon Approach to Wealth, Success, and Prosperity (Lifeonaire Promotions, LLC, 2018, ISBN: 978-0-9863228-7-7, $14.99) is available from major online booksellers.
Tips for Improving Your Agility at Any Sport
Sports are great for hiding exercise in fun activities, honing your physique, or spending time building camaraderie with friends. Agility is an important aspect of just about any sport you can think of, and improving this attribute could help you become a better player. There are a few things you can do to work on your agility. In most cases, tips such as the ones below can apply to various disciplines.
Lateral Running
This type of running is important for greater overall stability in athletes. Specifically, it tends to help with both ankle and knee stability. If you play a sport on a court, this is almost certainly one of the exercises you'll do regularly. For this one, you'll keep the knees bent in order to maintain a low center of gravity. Using an agility ladder, you'll step between each rung quickly. You should be doing a side-to-side motion during this exercise. The goal is to land on the ball of your foot as much as possible.
Forward Running High-Knee
Both speed and coordination are integral parts of good agility. If you want to work on both of these at once, running drills that focus on keeping the knees high and flexible are a good place to start. Programs such assoccer training in Spain would make use of techniques like these to improve the length of players' strides and coordination. To start, experts recommend that you put out an agility ladder and keep your knees high and forward with each step. Make sure you plant your feet firmly each time.
Jumping
This may sound simple at first, but what you're really going for is power jumping. A power jump is designed to help you increase your reaction time, which is part of your speed repertoire. In most cases, a trainer will recommend that athletes start with some lateral power jumps. These movements will help you change direction on the field quickly. Being able to do this is an invaluable skill when things can change at a moment's notice during a match with real opponents.
Cooling Down
Although a brief period to cool down is not part of everyone's routine, it is crucial a crucial step if you want to get the best results from the tips. This time should involve light cardio to get your heart rate at a more acceptable level. Light walking works well here. Some people prefer to cycle on a stationary bike. If you like to keep moving, you can try some yoga poses.You can use some of the tips above in combination with each other to work on your agility. It's important to remember that there isn't just one approach that will work for everyone. However, you should be able to tweak the ways you hone your agility to suit your needs. No matter what path you choose, you shouldn't jump into exercises like these without warming up your body first. Standard cardio and stretching exercises
EHN Canada offers their first gender-specific treatment facilities at Nova Scotia-based Ledgehill
ANNAPOLIS COUNTY, NS, April 13, 2021 /CNW/ - EHN Canada, a network of mental health and addiction facilities across Canada, is adding a unique new option to its roster: their first on the East coast and their first with separate treatment offerings for men and women.
Ledgehill is located in picturesque Lawrencetown in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, about an hour outside of Halifax, adding to EHN's existing facilities in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec. Ledgehill, which will be undergoing some renovations as it joins the EHN Canada network, also offers patients of both facilities the serene, calming surroundings that can often aid in recovery. Each located in Annapolis County on acres of beautiful land, male and female treatment quarters are 7km apart, and patients from either centre won't have opportunities to connect.
"Something we've been wanting to bring to the network for a number of years is gender-specific treatment," Cara Vaccarino, EHN Canada's Chief Operating Officer explains. "We know that recovery can be enhanced by treatment protocols that are sensitive to gender-based experiences."
While all patients may not need or request gender-specific treatment, the facility offers a powerful new option to seek effective therapy and begin their path to recovery. Ledgehill is open to trans and non-binary patients as well, but for an inclusive experience that is designed to address the unique challenges faced by this community, EHN Canada's Edgewood facility in Nanaimo, BC offers its LGBTQ+ program.
Why can this new gender-based option be so essential? "Many of our patients who suffer from a substance abuse disorder—it stems from early childhood abuse, or late childhood abuse, some type of trauma, often trauma that is interpersonal, often times involving a male aggressor or an unhealthy physical conflict with a man," Vaccarino says.
"So, it's about providing a much safer space for women to explore issues around gender bias, abuse, and domestic violence. Women in group therapy with men may feel reluctant to explore the consequences of early childhood abuse or domestic violence in front of men. For women, in particular, having a program that's really focused around the female condition is essential."
The benefits of gender-specific treatment aren't only for women. Vaccarino continues, "When you have genders mixed in a treatment environment, it can be distracting for both men and women. A lot of the people we treat have established patterns of unhealthy relationships, so when you have them separated in a treatment environment, it can really take distractions away and help them focus."
While Ledgehill won't be the country's only gender-specific treatment facility, it will be the only one to offer the high-quality, evidence-based treatment programs that aren't available anywhere else in Canada right now. And the facility is also a response to requests for EHN Canada to expand its facility options to the East coast.
"We're responding to the needs and the requests of many long-standing referral sources, like the RCMP, the Canadian Armed Forces, Veterans Affairs, interprovincial ministries of health. They're all excited about us setting up standards of care and clinical excellence in the Maritimes," Vaccarino says.
But she wants to be clear that the facility, which is staffed by both male and female clinicians, "is actually not about avoiding men; it's about building competency around relating to men."
ABOUT EHN CANADA EHN Canada is the nation's largest network of industry-leading mental health, trauma, and addiction treatment facilities, each with a passion for providing quality treatment for Canadians. We are committed to both caring for our patients and supporting their loved ones. With over 100 years of collective experience, our inpatient, outpatient, and online programs are offered across the country, providing essential compassionate care to patients wherever they are.
Recent Survey Cites Poor Behaviour and Reduced Attention Span as Top Symptoms of Digital Eye Strain in Alberta Children
Survey Commissioned by the Alberta Association of Optometrists Finds Increased Screen Time Fueling Alberta Parents' Concerns Around Children's Eye Health
EDMONTON, AB, April 13, 2021 /CNW/ -A recent survey commissioned by the Alberta Association of Optometrists (AAO) reveals 75 per cent of Alberta parents are concerned about increased screen time and its impact on their children's eye health. This comes more than one-year into the COVID-19 pandemic, with the majority of parents claiming their children's time spent on digital devices has increased in the last year. The survey found approximately 40 to 50 per cent of a child's waking hours are spent on digital devices – this number increases to more than 60 per cent in teenagers.1
75 per cent of Alberta parents are concerned about increased screen time and its impact on their children's eye health.
The AAO is urging Alberta parents to be on the lookout for signs of digital eye strain, which can cause discomfort and serious eye and vision-related problems like myopia, also known as nearsightedness. According to the survey, one-in-four Albertans say their child has experienced more symptoms of eye strain this year than in other years. At 33 per cent, poor behaviour is the top cited symptom, followed by reduced attention span; tired eyes; eye strain; shoulder, back or neck pain; and headaches.
"While it's alarming how many hours children are spending on digital devices, it doesn't really come as a surprise," said Dr. Richard Cowles, President of the AAO. "With families staying closer to home and more kids doing school virtually, spending time on digital devices has become an extension of our current reality. Excessive screen time can significantly impact our vision and eye health, especially among children – unfortunately, many common symptoms are not outwardly visible or are ignored by children, who simply don't know any better."
As the amount of time children are spending on screens increases at home and school, so does the risk of myopia. Twelve per cent of Alberta parents say they have a child who was diagnosed with myopia in the last year. Young children who develop myopia are more likely to experience worsening nearsightedness with age, which can lead to a higher risk of severe conditions like glaucoma, cataract and retinal detachment later in life. To protect children's eyes during these important developmental years, parents are encouraged to balance screen time with more outdoor time.
"Recent studies estimate that by 2050 half of the world's population will be myopic2," said Dr. Cowles. "This rise can be attributed to environmental factors and changes in our lifestyle like spending more times on screens and less time outdoors. From the survey, we know that nearly half of Alberta parents are unfamiliar with how to spot signs of myopia in their children. This is why it's so important to visit your optometrist annually – we're here to help you protect your child's vision and eye health."
__________________________
1 Based on the assumption children sleep between 8-11 hours per day and teenagers sleep 8 hours per day
2 Holden BA, Fricke TR, Wilson DA et al. Global prevalence of myopia and high myopia and temporal trends from 2000 through 2050. Ophthalmology 2016; 123: 1036-1042
To reduce the impact of screen time, parents can implement easy, everyday actions, including limiting handheld devices, planning for outside play time, putting away electronics one to two hours before bedtime, and ensuring children hold reading material away from their face. Most importantly, parents should implement eye health breaks or even set routine 'unplug' days following screen-heavy time periods to give their children's eyes a rest.
The Alberta Association of Optometrists recommends children receive an eye exam annually, and there is Alberta Health coverage towards these eye exams until age 19. Optometrists are available to discuss concerns around children's vision and eye health. To find an optometrist and book an eye exam, please visit www.optometrists.ab.ca/findanoptometrist.
Survey details This survey was conducted by Angus Reid on behalf of the Alberta Association of Optometrists between February 26 and March 2, 2021, among a sample of 551 Albertans with children aged 18 and under. The interviews were conducted online in English, and respondents were sourced using the Angus Reid Forum online panel.
About the Alberta Association of Optometrists:
The Alberta Association of Optometrists represents more than 800 optometrists across the province. The Association works to promote excellence in the practice of optometry, to enhance public recognition of optometry as the primary vision care provider in Alberta, and to advance the interests of the profession. For more information or to find an optometrist, visit www.optometrists.ab.ca.
SOURCE Alberta Association of Optometrists
Health Canada now authorizes Dolphin Vagal Nerve Stimulator (VNS) for emergency use in the acute treatment of adult patients with known or suspected COVID-19
TORONTO, April 13, 2021 /CNW/ - Covid-19 is an infectious disease that may lead to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and respiratory dysfunction (Liu 2017). Science recognizes that Covid-19 ARDS' excessive mortality rates are due to the medical establishment's inability to resolve inflammatory responses, causing multi-organ failure (Kaniusas 2020).
Health Canada approves Dolphin VNS as 1st medical device to treat COVID-19 respiratory distress.
Dolphin Vagus Nerve Stimulation activates our Immune System The vagus nerve, the major nerve of the parasympathetic nervous system, controls our immune response to inflammation (Pavlov 2012), and pulmonary (breathing ) functioning (Chang 2015). Dolphin Vagal Nerve Stimulation has been proven in science to enhance the parasympathetic system (Armstrong 2019), reducing lung inflammation (Kaniusas 2019) and pro-inflammatory cytokines to improve respiratory functioning (Tracey 2007).
With more than 1 million COVID-19 cases reported in Canada and our ICU medical system nearing capacity (due to COVID-19 Acute Respiratory Disorder), the country needs a safe, effective means to reduce the heavy societal costs of COVID-19 related respiratory distress within the hospital setting. Health Canada agrees the severity of COVID-19 ARDs can be only be reduced by enhancing parasympathetic vagal tone, and Dolphin VNS is currently the only device on the market able to perform this function.
PREVENTION: Dolphin may be applied to or by front line worker preventatively to reduce stress and improve immunity and reduce COVID-19 infections risk
ACUTE RESPIRATORY DISTRESS: Dolphin VNS can introduce this potentially lifesaving intervention into any hospital or clinical setting (applied in under 15 min/patient)
COVID-19 LONG HAUL RECOVERY: Dolphin may be applied to or by front line worker preventatively to reduce stress and improve immunity and reduce COVID-19 infections risk
Dolphin VNS is a safe clinical procedure and could be an effective treatment for ARDS originated by Covid-19 and similar viruses. Dolphin VNS enables the introduction of a potentially lifesaving intervention which can be safely administered by any health care professional or clinical staff with minimal training or supervision. Dolphin VNS can help our current crisis.
"3rd COVID wave strains Ontario ICU's"
"Canada now surpasses USA COVID rate"
"Situation in Ontario ICUs looking dire "
Dolphin Vagal Stimulator kit The Dolphin Vagal Nerve Stimulator (VNS) Kit comes with Dolphin device, protocol manual and instructions for easy application. Dolphin Vagal Nerve Stimulator (VNS) Kit retails for $749.00 and may be purchased directly on the company's website.
SOURCE Dolphin Neurostim
Biogen Canada receives Top 50 Best Workplaces™ in Canada and Best Workplaces™ for Women distinctions
MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 13, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - Biogen Canada Inc. is exceptionally proud to announce that it has been recognized as one of the "Top 50 Best Workplaces™" in Canada and has also been named one of the "Top 50 Best Workplaces™ for Women" in Canada. In addition to these honours, at the end of 2020 Biogen Canada also received recognition as a Best Workplace™ in Healthcare.
These prestigious distinctions are awarded following a thorough and independent analysis conducted by Great Place to Work® (GPTW). The lists of top organizations are curated based on direct feedback from thousands of employees from all Great Place to Work-certified companies on five dimensions: credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie.
"At Biogen we understand that everything starts with our employees which is why we put so much emphasis on creating an environment that attracts talent and builds great relationships. Great people inspire a great workplace, and our passionate team is the force behind our winning workplace culture," said Marina Vasiliou, Vice President and Managing Director of Biogen Canada Inc. "I am incredibly honored to lead an organization that has received these top workplace distinctions and a team who cares deeply and works fearlessly to truly change patient lives; it speaks volumes about who we are. I congratulate the team for their unwavering dedication and contribution to patients living with neurological conditions and the Canadian Healthcare system."
Biogen recognizes that employees are vitally important to the success of our work to support patients and fosters an environment that empowers employees to build rewarding careers. There is a strong belief that innovation is fueled by diversity of opinions and backgrounds. An inclusive workplace empowers the team to achieve better business results, work more effectively with external stakeholders and partners, and transform patient care.
About Biogen At Biogen, our mission is clear: we are pioneers in neuroscience. Biogen discovers, develops, and delivers worldwide innovative therapies for people living with serious neurological and neurodegenerative diseases as well as related therapeutic adjacencies. One of the world's first global biotechnology companies, Biogen was founded in 1978 by Charles Weissmann, Heinz Schaller, Kenneth Murray, and Nobel Prize winners Walter Gilbert and Phillip Sharp. Today Biogen has the leading portfolio of medicines to treat multiple sclerosis, has introduced the first approved treatment for spinal muscular atrophy, commercializes biosimilars of advanced biologics, and is focused on advancing research programs in multiple sclerosis and neuroimmunology, Alzheimer's disease and dementia, neuromuscular disorders, movement disorders, ophthalmology, neuropsychiatry, immunology, acute neurology, and neuropathic pain. To learn more, please visit www.biogen.ca.
About Great Place to Work®: Great Place to Work is the global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. Through proprietary assessment tools, advisory services, and certification programs, GPTW recognizes the world's Best Workplaces in a series of national lists including those published by The Globe & Mail (Canada) and Fortune magazine (USA). Great Place to Work provides the benchmarks, framework, and expertise needed to create, sustain, and recognize outstanding workplace cultures. Visit us at www.greatplacetowork.ca or find us on Twitter at @GPTW_Canada.
SOURCE Biogen Canada
Novartis in Canada named a Top 50 Best Workplace™ in the country
Open feedback by Novartis associates contributed to coveted Canadian employer recognition
Novartis ranked among the companies with the highest levels of trust and most inclusive cultures in the country
DORVAL, QC, April 13, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. is thrilled to be recognized as a Great Place to Work® and announce that Novartis in Canada has earned a spot on the "Top 50 Best Workplaces™" in the country. Novartis has also been proudly named on the 2021 list of Best Workplaces™ for Women, a designation that speaks to the organization's inclusive and equitable work environment. These rankings were made possible thanks to feedback provided directly from Novartis associates about their workplace experience.
All associates were given the opportunity to voice their opinion through an anonymous and independent analysis conducted by the Great Place to Work® Institute with Novartis associates across the Novartis businesses: Novartis Innovative Medicines Division (Pharmaceuticals and Oncology business units), as well as Sandoz Canada.
The Top 50 Best Workplaces™ list is curated based on analyzed responses from thousands of individuals from organizations in Canada with more than 1,000 employees working in Canada or worldwide.
"What makes me very proud about these designations is that it is our associates who provide their feedback and they are telling us that our 'care in leadership' approach is appreciated. Our leaders didn't underestimate the challenges that were faced in 2020 and focused on prioritizing the wellbeing of our associates to ensure, among other things, work-life balance. I would like to express my gratitude to the team for their steadfast dedication to reimagining medicine and continuing to deliver for patients no matter what," said Christian Macher, Country President, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc.
Novartis fosters a work environment and culture that brings out the best in people to fulfil the purpose of reimagining medicine to improve and extend people's live. The company operates with the understanding that associates are its greatest asset and they are encouraged to live the values and behaviors that underpin the Novartis culture.
The company prides itself on its commitment to diversity and to nurturing an inclusive environment all around. Novartis is also committed to be an ethical and responsible corporate citizen in Canada through its employment practices, as well as through its research programs and commercial activities and by always showing respect for the environment.
The highly respected recognition program run by the Great Place to Work® Institute gathers and evaluates employee feedback and acknowledges companies who have built high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. The list evaluates like-sized companies from across Canada that are measured against criteria designed to identify those that are exceptional places to work. Novartis associates were surveyed and gave feedback on the following five areas: credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie.
About Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc., a leader in the healthcare field, is committed to the discovery, development and marketing of innovative products to improve the well-being of all Canadians. In 2020, the company invested $45 million in research and development in Canada. Located in Dorval, Quebec, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. employs approximately 1,000 people in Canada and is an affiliate of Novartis AG, which provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. For further information, please consult www.novartis.ca.
About Sandoz Sandoz is a world leader in generics and biosimilars and a division of the Swiss multinational Novartis. A true leader in its field, Sandoz Canada markets and distributes a wide range of generics, biosimilars and specialty products. www.sandoz.ca Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sandoz-canada/
About Novartis Novartis is reimagining medicine to improve and extend people's lives. As a leading global medicines company, we use innovative science and digital technologies to create transformative treatments in areas of great medical need. In our quest to find new medicines, we consistently rank among the world's top companies investing in research and development. Novartis products reach nearly 800 million people globally and we are finding innovative ways to expand access to our latest treatments. About 110,000 people of more than 140 nationalities work at Novartis around the world. Find out more at https://www.novartis.com.
SOURCE Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc.
Ontario Pharmacists Association Partners with BD Canada and Ascensia Diabetes Care to Commemorate 100 Years of Insulin and Pharmacy's Role in Diabetes Management
TORONTO, April 13, 2021 /CNW/ - This year marks the 100th anniversary of insulin discovery. Ontario Pharmacists Association (OPA) is proud to announce a partnership with BD Canada and Ascensia Diabetes Care to celebrate the momentous anniversary and highlight the important involvement of pharmacy professionals in the management of the disease. The revolutionary Canadian discovery by Sir Frederick Banting and his assistant Charles Best is a leading medical advancement that has fundamentally changed the lives of millions around the globe.
To commemorate the Nobel prize-winning discovery of insulin OPA, BD Canada, and Ascensia are collaborating to provide a series of online events and programs including live webinars, contests, and educational workshops from April 2021, until June 2021. The events and programs will celebrate the milestone and focus on providing top-tier guidance and resources for pharmacy professionals so they can continue to appropriately support patients with diabetes. As accessible healthcare providers, pharmacy professionals are integral members of a diabetes care team that assist patients with insulin delivery and the best possible management of the disease.
"We at BD are very happy to help sponsor OPA, as we jointly commemorate the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin. BD has been proud to support our pharmacists and people with diabetes since 1924 when we manufactured the first insulin syringe," said Jennifer Spearen VP of Diabetes Care, BD. "We continually seek to collaborate with our pharmacy professionals in striving towards our mutual goals around the advancement and management of diabetes care for all people with diabetes, as BD continues its mission of advancing the world of health."
Over 11 million Canadians live with diabetes or prediabetes.Insulin significantly improves the health outcomes of patients with diabetes but there is an ongoing fight against the disease. Pharmacy professionals in various settings from community pharmacies to hospitals help support efforts with patient care by providing education, practical approaches to therapy adherence, and improved clinical outcomes. Together the combined efforts of pharmacy professionals, other health care providers, and diabetes management therapies ease the burden of those affected by the disease.
"As a trusted partner in the diabetes community, Ascensia Diabetes Care is proud to commemorate the 100th year of the discovery of insulin in partnership with OPA," said Annika Pawaroo, Country Head, Ascensia Diabetes Care. "We are excited to mark this special discovery and we look forward to what the future holds. For more than 70 years, continuous research has allowed our diabetes care team to lead the way in blood glucose monitoring systems designed to meet the needs of patients. We will continue to proudly collaborate and partner with pharmacy professionals to help improve diabetes management and build on the legacy of our longstanding commitment to diabetes."
As one of Canada's leading advocacy organizations for pharmacy professionals, OPA is honoured to celebrate the success of 100 years of insulin alongside BD Canada and Ascensia Diabetes Care. "OPA is excited to partner with two industry leaders that work to enhance the health and well-being of patients with diabetes," said Lilliette Davidson, VP Business Management & Development at OPA. "Pharmacy professionals play a key role in the achievement of optimal health outcomes, and these valuable programs and resources can be applied to their practice when caring for the diabetes patient population."
The discovery of insulin paved the way for other medical and technological advancements that have enabled improved support, treatment, and outcomes for patients living with diabetes. As principal points of contact for patients with diabetes, OPA supports pharmacy professionals and delivers high-value resources, training, and innovative approaches to practice and patient care.
The Ontario Pharmacists Association is committed to evolving the pharmacy profession and advocating for excellence in practice and patient care. With more than 10,000 members, OPA is Canada's largest advocacy organization, professional development and drug information provider for pharmacy professionals across Ontario. By leveraging the unique expertise of pharmacy professionals, enabling them to practice to their fullest potential, and making them more accessible to patients, OPA is working to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the healthcare system. The pharmacy sector plays a strong role in Ontario with an economic impact of more than $6.3 billion across 4,600 pharmacies, employing 60,000 Ontarians. For more information on OPA, visit https://www.opatoday.com.
BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world and is advancing the world of health by improving medical discovery, diagnostics and the delivery of care. The company supports the heroes on the frontlines of health care by developing innovative technology, services and solutions that help advance both clinical therapy for patients and clinical process for health care providers. BD and its 65,000 employees have a passion and commitment to help enhance the safety and efficiency of clinicians' care delivery process, enable laboratory scientists to accurately detect disease and advance researchers' capabilities to develop the next generation of diagnostics and therapeutics. BD has a presence in virtually every country and partners with organizations around the world to address some of the most challenging global health issues. For more information on BD, visit bd.com/en-ca.
Pregnancy comes with its share of unwanted physical side effects. Provided it’s ok with your physician, chances are good that increasing your level of exercise, will ease the negative side effects of being pregnant and fight pregnancy fatigue. Low-level tiredness plagues many women during the first trimester, then again late in the third trimester. It seems paradoxical, but sometimes getting too much rest can actually make you feel more exhausted. And while you should never push yourself too hard when you're pregnant, a little nudge can make a big difference in your pregnancy energy level. So take baby steps. You'll be surprised at how peppy you feel afterward!
Jessica Mazzucco is a certified fitness trainer in NYC who trains many pregnant women.
She shares a Pre- Natal Routine to be performed two times per week and alternated with some cardio. She advises women to get medical clearance from their OB/GYN before engaging in any type of exercise.
EXERCISE 1- One Arm Dumbbell Row (back and arms)
Place one hand and one knee on a utility bench; with the torso almost horizontal, maintain a flat back in a neutral spine position. With the hand that is not on the bench, grip the dumbbell using an overhand grip (with the thumb wrapped around the dumbbell) and extend the arm to the side. To initiate movement, bend arm at elbow and shoulder to pull the dumbbell upward until it reaches the torso. Extend the arm, following the same path used for the upward movement, performing the full range of motion. Do 2 sets of 15 reps each, rest 20-30 seconds in between.
EXERCISE 2 - Knee Push Ups (chest, arms and shoulders)
Come to a hands and knees position (quadruped) on the mat with your hands directly under your shoulders; fingers facing forward and knees under your hips. Engage the abdominals and pull the shoulder blades down your back. Reposition your knees as needed to create a straight line in your body from the knees, through the torso and out through the head. There should be no bend at the hips. Keeping the torso rigid and head aligned with your spine, slowly bend your elbows and lower your body toward the floor. Your elbows should remain close to the sides of your body or flare outwards slightly. Maintaining a rigid torso and head aligned with your spine, press upward through your arms. Do 2 sets of 10-15 reps, rest 20-30 seconds in between.
EXERCISE 3 - Bodyweight Squats (legs, butt, hips and core)
Begin standing with your feet slightly wider than hip-width and your toes turned out slightly. Your hands are by your sides with your palms facing inward. Keeping your back flat, hinge at your hips and shift them back and down. Your hips and knees bend simultaneously. Continue to lower yourself until your thighs are parallel or almost parallel to the floor. While maintaining the position of your back, chest and head and with the abdominals engaged, exhale and return to start position by pushing your feet into the floor through your heels. Do 2 sets of 15 reps each, rest 20-30 seconds in between.
Stand with the feet shoulder-width apart, and hold a dumbbell at each side. Keeping the torso vertical, take a large step backward. Once the rear foot makes contact with the ground, move downward so that the knee of the rear leg is just above the floor. Ensure that the front knee does not move beyond the toes of the front foot. For each repetition, return to the starting position by following the same path used for the downward movement. Do 2 sets of 15 reps at each side, rest 20-30 seconds in between.
EXERCISE 5 – Side Plank (obliques)
While lying on your side bend one elbow to about 90 degrees and rise off the floor. Keep the spine neutral and align the head with the torso. Hold the position for 20 seconds and repeat 2 times on each side.
Jessica Mazzucco is an NYC area certified fitness trainer and founder of The Glute Recruit® A native New Yorker, she graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a Master's Degree in Social Work from Adelphi University. The latter enables her to use skills of therapeutic communication and client centeredness to help her clients transition through change. Jessica has over 7 years of experience in the fitness industry and a multitude of diverse fitness certifications including :
World Instructor Training Schools (WITS) Personal Training Certification
National Posture Institute (NPI) Certified Posture Specialist + Certified Resistance Training Professional
SRT (Soft Release Technique) - Lower Body Fascial Stretch Therapist
Areas of Focus
Her specialties include butt sculpt/lift through exercise, resistance, strength and weight training for women, nutrition, muscle building, flexibility, mobility, posture enhancement, and pre and post-natal workout regimens. Jess has trained celebrities such as former MSNBC Legal Analyst Mimi Rocah and country singer Jessica Lynn.
Her personal journey
Jess has helped women worldwide achieve their fitness and lifestyle goals. She embarked on her own journey toward a healthier lifestyle in 2010 when she realized how unhealthy she was physically due to poor dietary choices and lack of exercise. Her weight gain had led her to develop low self-confidence and poor relationships with food. Healthy dietary changes and slow implementation of exercise helped Jess to become physically healthier and restore her self-esteem. This success gave her the platform to pursue a career in fitness and personal training. Her mission is to educate women on how to take control of their lives and become the healthiest versions of themselves without setting unrealistic goals of an "ideal" body type.
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